Ven. Zhi Sheng was ordained at Guang Jue Temple in Zaoxi, China. He is a Pure Land teacher who seeks to act as a bridge between the East and the West. His style and methodology is such that traditional Chinese Buddhists can enjoy a new way of seeing an old tradition, whilst Western newcomers to Pure Land can understand the deeper dimensions of the tradition. He currently works at the Shanghai Institute of Language and Culture.

I think sometimes there's this false dichotomy that seems to arise between the Chinese schools and the exclusive Other Power (Shin) school(s). I could see many of the things he says being said by those who've really delved deeply into the Shin path (especially the speaker's point about "I did this"). In fact Shin scholar Taitetsu Unno uses the same analogy of the vehicle across the turbulent waters, which is also inherent in his (Unno's) reference to the story of the narrow path in River of Fire, River of Water - an anecdote originally presented by Chinese scholar Shan Tao. The point of the exclusive Other Power schools is not to be lazy as the video warns against, but to establish the faith that even a minor effort is enough to develop faith, and then to keep reciting (in gratitude, once establishing that faith) continuously throughout our lives (ie. following the pattern of establishing Faith, followed by Vows and Practice). Shinran says this explicitly. Nowhere in the KGSS does it say not to continue reciting the name and relying on the vow throughout one's life in Shin. Anybody who's understanding of the teachings of Shinran is to say that we can celebrate doing bad, do nothing our whole lives to establish confidence in the name of Amitabha or the power of the Primal Vow, and then hope we won't have doubts when the important time comes; is missing the whole point of Shinran not to mention all of the venerable masters before him as well as those who have come since in China. For true followers of Honen, ShanTao, and the other masters, this ranks up there with many of the great works. It's so nice to see that ultimately the same things are being said by all of these Pure Land schools.

Hope you (plwk) don't mind my interjection in this thread, it's not directed at you (plwk) so much as those of us who find value in Shin teachings. All followers of the Pure Land path should be rejoicing at the wisdom portrayed in this video.